New Zealand writers of novels are often preoccupied with the intersection of the natural and the human worlds. They are also interested in exploring the themes of identity, belonging, and the legacy of colonialism.
One of the most distinctive features of New Zealand fiction is its use of landscape. New Zealand novelists often use the landscape to explore the relationship between the individual and the natural world. For example, in her novel The Luminaries, Eleanor Catton uses the landscape of the South Island to explore the themes of isolation, mystery, and the power of nature.
Another distinctive feature of New Zealand fiction is its focus on Māori culture. Many New Zealand novelists are Māori, and their work often explores the intersection of Māori and Pakeha (European) cultures. For example, in her novel The Whale Rider, Witi Ihimaera uses Māori mythology to explore the themes of identity, family, and tradition.
Despite their distinctive features, New Zealand novelists also share some similarities with writers from other countries. For example, many New Zealand novelists are interested in exploring the themes of social justice and the individual’s place in the world. They are also often concerned with the power of language and the ways in which it can be used to shape our understanding of the world.
Overall, New Zealand novelists are a diverse group of writers who are producing some of the most exciting and innovative fiction in the world today. Their work is characterized by its beauty, its intelligence, and its commitment to exploring the complexities of the human experience.
Here are ten of the best New Zealand authors of all time:
Katherine Mansfield (1888 – 1923)
Katherine Mansfield was not a novelist but deserves a place here due to her status as one of the most important short story writers of the 20th century. Her work is characterized by its psychological insights, its use of symbolism, and its exploration of the inner lives of her characters.
Mansfield published her first collection of short stories, In a German Pension, in 1911. Her other major collections of short stories include Bliss and Other Stories (1920), The Garden Party and Other Stories (1922), and The Doves’ Nest and Other Stories (1923).
Mansfield died of tuberculosis at the age of 34. However, her work has had a lasting influence on the development of the short story. She is considered one of the masters of the genre, and her stories are still widely read and enjoyed today.
Ngaio Marsh (1892 – 1985)
Ngaio Marsh wrote a series of detective novels featuring Inspector Roderick Alleyn. Her work is known for its elegant prose, its complex characters, and its clever plots.
Her novels were highly successful, and she was awarded the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 1968. She was also made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1966. She had a keen eye for detail and her novels are both entertaining and thought-provoking: they offer readers a fascinating glimpse into the world of crime detection.
Janet Frame (1924 – 2004)
Janet Frame was a novelist, short story writer, poet, and autobiographer. She is best known for her novels The Adaptable Man (1965), The Rainbirds (1968), and The Carpathians (1988). Her novels are characterized by their lyrical prose, their exploration of psychological themes, and their focus on the individual’s experience of alienation and isolation. She was a prolific writer, and her work has been translated into many languages. Frame is considered one of the most important New Zealand writers of the 20th century. She won the New Zealand Book Award for Fiction in 1965, 1968, and 1988 and she was awarded the Order of New Zealand in 1983.
Maurice Gee (1931 – 2016)
Maurice Gee was known for his realistic and often disturbing portrayals of human nature. His novels often explore themes of violence, alienation, and the dark side of the human psyche. His work is characterized by its intelligence, its wit, and its unflinching honesty. He is one of the most important New Zealand novelists of the 20th century.
Some of Gee’s most famous novels include The Man Who Loved Children (1966), Pig Earth (1979), and The Burning Boy (1985). He also wrote several children’s books, including Under the Mountain (1979) and The Fire-Eaters (1983).
Gee was a prolific writer who published over 30 novels, short stories, and children’s books. He was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1994 and the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement in 2007. He died in 2016 at the age of 84.
Patricia Grace (1937 -)
Patricia Grace is a novelist, short story writer, and children’s writer. She is one of the most important Māori writers in New Zealand, and her work is known for its lyrical prose, its strong female characters, and its exploration of Māori culture and identity.
Grace’s first novel, Mahu, was published in 1971. It was followed by Potiki (1986), which won the New Zealand Book Award for Fiction, and Aotearoa (2004). She has also published several collections of short stories, including The Dream Sleepers (1978) and Selected Stories (2001).
Grace’s work has been translated into many languages and has been adapted for film and television. She is a recipient of the Order of New Zealand, the country’s highest civilian honor. She is a gifted writer who has produced a body of work that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.
Witi Ihimaera (1944 -)
Witi Ihimaera is one of the most prominent Māori writers in New Zealand, and his work has helped to bring Māori culture to a wider audience. His novels often explore the intersection of Māori and Pakeha (European) cultures, and they often feature strong female characters.
His best-known novels include The Whale Rider (1987), The Uncle’s Story (1990), and The Matriarch (1986). He has also written several collections of short stories, including Pounamu, Pounamu (1972) and The New Net Goes Fishing (1977).
Ihimaera is a gifted storyteller who has a deep understanding of Māori culture. His work is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and it has helped to make Māori culture more accessible to a wider audience. His work has been translated into many languages, and he has won numerous awards, including the New Zealand Book Award for Fiction and the Wattie Book of the Year Award. He is a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and he was awarded the inaugural Te Mata Award for Literature in 2008.
Keri Hulme (1947-2021)
Keri Hulme was a novelist and short-story writer. She is best known for her novel The Bone People, which won the Man Booker Prize in 1985. Her novels are characterized by their lyrical prose, their exploration of Māori mythology and culture, and their challenging of traditional notions of identity and belonging. She was a unique and important voice in New Zealand literature. Hulme was a gifted writer who used her talents to explore important themes in a way that was both beautiful and engaging and her work continues to be read and admired by readers all over the world.
Alan Duff (1956 -)
Alan Duff is best known for his novel Once Were Warriors (1990), which was adapted into a successful film. Duff’s novels often deal with the lives of Māori people in New Zealand, and they are known for their raw and unflinching portrayal of poverty, violence, and addiction. Duff’s work has been praised for its honesty and its social commentary, and he is considered to be one of the most important New Zealand novelists of his generation.
His work has been translated into many languages and read by people all over the world. He is a controversial figure, but he is also a respected writer who has made a significant contribution to New Zealand literature.
Elizabeth Knox (1959 -)
Elizabeth Knox has written a number of critically acclaimed novels, including The Vintner’s Luck, The Water of High Noon, The Absolute Book, and The Changeling. Her work is known for its lush prose, its complex characters, and its exploration of themes such as magic, history, and identity.
Knox’s novels have been translated into many languages and have been praised by critics and readers alike. She is a recipient of the New Zealand Book Award for Fiction, the Prime Minister’s Award for Fiction, and the Wattie Book of the Year Award.
Knox is a gifted storyteller who has a unique vision of the world. Her novels are both entertaining and thought-provoking, and they offer readers a glimpse into a world that is both familiar and strange.
Eleanor Catton (1985 -)
Eleanor Catton is the author of two novels, The Luminaries (2013) and The Rehearsal (2015). The Luminaries won the Man Booker Prize in 2013, making Catton the youngest person to win the award at the time.
Catton’s novels are known for their intricate plots, their lush prose, and their exploration of complex themes. The Luminaries is a historical mystery set in the 1860s gold rush in New Zealand. The Rehearsal is a coming-of-age story about a young woman who attends a prestigious acting school.
And that’s our list of the 10 best New Zealand writers. What’s your take on these authors – any surprises, or any fantastic New Zealand authors missing from the list?